Cricket’s T20 format, known for its fast-paced, action-packed nature, has witnessed some extraordinary batting performances over the years. With towering sixes and aggressive boundaries, T20 matches often produce enormous totals in just 20 overs. As the format continues to grow in popularity, here’s a look at the highest scores ever recorded in T20 cricket.
Zimbabwe Breaks the Record with 344/4
As of October 2024, Zimbabwe holds the record for the highest score in a T20 international, posting a colossal 344/4 against Gambia in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier. This was an incredible achievement, not just for Zimbabwe, but for world cricket. The standout performer in this innings was Zimbabwe's captain Sikandar Raza, who hammered an unbeaten 133 off just 43 balls, showcasing his power-hitting ability in full force.
Nepal's Historic 314/3
Before Zimbabwe's record-breaking feat, Nepal held the highest total in T20s, scoring 314/3 against Mongolia at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China. This remarkable score was the first-ever instance of a team crossing the 300-mark in T20 cricket. Nepal's Kushal Malla played a pivotal role, scoring the fastest T20I century off just 34 balls, while Dipendra Singh Airee smashed the fastest T20I fifty off only nine balls.
Other Record-Breaking T20 Scores
- India registered 297/6 against Bangladesh in October 2024, marking a massive score in T20 cricket. The match saw Sanju Samson score a blazing 40-ball century. By a margin of 133 runs the indian team win the game.
- Afghanistan set the previous high with 278/3 against Ireland in 2019. Afghan opener Hazratullah Zazai played a match-winning knock of 162* off 62 balls, and his partnership with Usman Ghani for the first wicket contributed to the mammoth total.
- In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Sunrisers Hyderabad posted 287/3 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2024. Travis Head scored a quick-fire 102 off 41 balls, while Heinrich Klaasen supported with a solid half-century.
Other Memorable High Scores in T20
| Score | Team | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 344/4 | Zimbabwe | Gambia | Oct 23, 2024 |
| 314/3 | Nepal | Mongolia | Sep 27, 2023 |
| 297/6 | India | Bangladesh | Oct 12, 2024 |
T20 Cricket's Record-Breaking Moments
Cricket fans have witnessed numerous moments of history in the T20 format, from the first-ever 300+ score by Nepal to Zimbabwe’s stunning 344/4. Whether it’s a domestic league like the IPL or international tournaments like the T20 World Cup, these scores continue to shape the narrative of cricket’s shortest format.
Fastest Century and Largest Victory: During Nepal’s record-breaking innings, Kushal Malla scored the fastest T20I century off 34 balls, while his teammate Dipendra Singh Airee recorded the fastest T20I fifty off just nine balls. The victory margin of 273 runs against Mongolia is also the largest in T20 history.